A generic conceptual simulation model for maintenance systems

Maintenance is a complex process that is triggered by equipment failure or planned repair. This process requires planning, scheduling, control and the deployment of maintenance resources to perform necessary maintenance activities. In this paper a generic conceptual model for maintenance systems has been developed. The conceptual model consists of seven modules. The first one is the input module in which the characteristic of the maintenance system is specified. The second module is concerned with modeling the maintenance load. The third module is the planning and scheduling. This module is the most critical, since it controls the maintenance process. The fourth module is the material and spare parts supply, followed by the equipment availability module. The sixth module is the quality control module and the performance measures are the seventh module. The specification of such a conceptual model lays the ground for developing a realistic simulation model.